By FINN BULLERS - The Kansas City Star Date: 12/28/99 22:15

Admit it. You're not prepared for Y2K.

And why should you be?

True, the White House and lots of experts are telling us to prepare for Y2K as we would a bad winter storm.

But they also say computer problems after Jan. 1, 2000, will be like potholes in the road -- minor irritants.

No wonder Y(awn)2K has set in. But before you turn the page, let's give the experts a final shot at answering some of the tough questions you probably would ask them if you could track the down.

Consider this, then, "The Skeptic's Guide to Y2K."

Q: Experts tell us to prepare for Y2K as we would for a winter storm. But the extent of my winter preparations have never been more than a shovel and some sidewalk salt. Why should I bother to do more?

A: Peter de Jager, Canadian computer expert who first sounded the alarm about Y2K

You're underestimating the power of a winter storm. Montreal in January

of 1996 was without power for three weeks because of an ice storm. Unless

you intend to be using that salt to flavor the snow you shovel, you're

not doing enough to handle a real storm.

The reason the winter storm analogy is used is because it's a simple

way of describing a level of preparedness that we believe is both

responsible and sufficient.

Q: The White House says everything is going to be fine, but stock up on food and supplies for at least three days. So what message do you want me to listen to?

A: Dean Katerndahl, director of the Mid-America Regional Council's Government Innovations Forum

This is a question we have been asked at several of our Y2K forums. I believe that local governments and critical services have done an extraordinary job addressing potential Y2K issues. But we will always be somewhat vulnerable. Therefore, having a contingency plan for the unexpected is just a part of good preparations for Y2K and any potential event.

Q: If Y2K is such a big deal, why hasn't the president or vice president

had a fireside chat with the American people about what to do to prepare for

Y2K?

A: Republican Sen. Robert Bennett of Utah, chairman of the Senate's Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem

People often ask why the president hasn't been more up front with regard to Y2K. To his credit, he appointed a very capable person, John Koskinen, to carry the direct authority of the president in preparing the nation for Y2K. John has succeeded without making this vital national challenge into a partisan issue.

Q: Several dates throughout 1999 were considered "doom dates" or triggers of when we might see Y2K problems crop up, and yet almost none panned out. How many times can you cry wolf?

A: Katerndahl: It has been my experience that the technical people and others seriously engaged in addressing Y2K issues never considered such dates as doom dates. I believe the media, in an attempt to make Y2K more exciting, created doom dates. To some extent, even Jan. 1, 2000, is not a doom date, but just the most prominent of a series of dates. In fact, Y2K problems have been popping up continuously, are being successfully dealt with, and will continue to appear for some time into the next millennium.

Q: Kansas City has spent $17.5 million on Y2K fixes, about the same amount as repairing Turkey Creek and one of the city's major bridges. You say all city departments are ready. So what's left to worry about?

A: Don Eatherton, Kansas City's Y2K coordinator

The first thought that comes to mind "Isn't this the same logic used by the planners of the Titanic when they shorted the ship on lifeboats?"

But if everyone behaves in a rational manner over the next few

weeks, I personally don't believe there will be any major problems. KCMO

along with many other municipalities are planning to have a command

center open and additional personnel to address Y2K as well as other

problems that may result from New Year's Eve celebrations.

To reach Finn Bullers, call (816) 234-7705 or send e-mail to

fbullers@kcstar.com

All content ) 1999 The Kansas City Star

-- moderate gal (moder@tion.inall.things), December 29, 1999

Answers

I spoke with Dean Katerndahl after one of the "Community Conversations" here in KC. He admitted his wife was taking it a little more seriously than he was, and she was doing "some preparing". That was back in October...wonder how big her stash is now?

-- Wilferd (WilferdW@aol.com), December 29, 1999.